Diesel engine fans will rapture on about the impressive combination of power and fuel efficiency that modern diesel engines carry. Environmentally friendly and fairly low maintenance, diesel engines have been popular for years in Europe, and that popularity is finally beginning to grow in the United States as well. With all their benefits, diesel engines may very well become more popular than gas engines! Here are some tips to consider if you, like most U.S. drivers, are fairly inexperienced with diesel engines.

1) Virtually all new diesel engines are equipped with a turbo-charger, which works like a jet engine, forcing outside air into the engine. This increases efficiency and performance. Turbo-chargers are very powerful, so it’s important that the air entering is clean and free of detritus. You can make sure of this by keeping the air filter on your engine clean and changing it often. Most vehicles are equipped with electric sensors which alert you when your air filter needs changing. Pay attention to this! Ignoring this alert could damage your engine.

2) Diesel fuel isn’t as clean and pure as gasoline, so the fuel filter in a diesel engine is very important. Again, your car has sensors that will warn you if the fuel filter becomes clogged, and you should react to these warnings quickly. If you fail to change a clogged diesel fuel filter, it could leave you stranded on the side of the road. Also, keep in mind that diesel fuel filters need to be changed a little more often than gas fuel filters, so don’t be surprised if you have to replace your diesel’s fuel filter ahead of schedule. That’s perfectly normal.

3) You may be surprised to learn that diesel fuel contains water! A little bit of water won’t damage your engine, but the vast majority of modern diesels are fitted with water/fuel separators regardless. Some vehicles may require you to manually remove the water from the diesel’s fuel system. Your owner’s manual will tell you how to do this, and how often to do it. If DIY is not your thing, many service facilities are willing to do this for you at little to no charge, and will dispose of the water/fuel solution in an environmentally friendly manner.

4) Diesel engines are “oil burners”, typically burning some of the engine’s lubricating oil during normal operation. This is why it’s so important to check your diesel’s oil levels often, even between oil changes! Before checking the oil, make sure the vehicle is level and allow the engine to cool for at least 30 minutes. Your owner’s manual will explain how to determine if you need to add more oil, based on your engine’s dipstick reading.

5) Cold temperatures are bad for diesel engines. Your diesel engine will start up harshly and take a long time to warm up if the temperature outside is low. If it’s extremely low outside, with a temperature of -10F or lower, diesel engines might not work at all. It’s very important that you remember to use your diesel’s block heater. The block heater is an electrical plug on your car that keeps your engine warm, using electricity from your home. Use the block heater at least whenever the temperature drops below zero outside, and at best, whenever the temperature is below freezing. This protects your engine, so it can continue to start smoothly and warm up quickly. Refer to your owner’s manual to locate the block heater on your vehicle.

6) While all new engines have a short break-in period, new diesel engines usually have a break-in period that lasts 500 or 1000 miles. (Check your manual to find out.) Usually, the manufacturer recommends that you avoid driving at sustained speeds (i.e. long trips on the highway) during this period. Additionally, most manufacturers suggest that you not tow or haul anything during this period. Once the initial break-in period is over, it’s not uncommon for your diesel to continue to improve in power and efficiency for the first 20k or 30k miles. Unlike gas motors, which often stop improving in power and efficiency after 3k to 5k miles, diesels need lots of time and use to reach their peak efficiency and performance. In fact, most long-time diesel owners will tell you that their engine didn’t really start to truly perform until a year or two after they bought it.

Overall, it’s very important for new diesel owners to familiarize themselves with their engine manual. Diesel owners need to pay close attention to air and fuel filter warnings, check engine oil between scheduled changes, purge water from the fuel system as needed, and use the block heater during colder temperatures. This may seem like a lot of work to perform on top of regular vehicle maintenance, but the reward will be power, fuel efficiency, and 200,000+ of great performance.